Alyson Stoner Is Exposing Hollywood for the "Dark Shadow" of Child Stardom

May 2024 · 4 minute read

What happened to Alyson Stoner? The former Disney Channel famous person penned an op-ed essay about the psychological and physical effects of child stardom.

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Former Disney Channel star Alyson Stoner has been very open about her "harrowing" early life stardom and the way the grueling Hollywood industry had an enduring impact on each her bodily and mental well being.

In an op-ed essay posted on People in 2021, titled "The Toddler to Trainwreck Industrial Complex," the now 30-year-old writes about the lack of child labor rules and the way her demanding occupation led her to be hospitalized for an consuming dysfunction.

So, what is Alyson up to nowadays? Find out how she's encouraging Hollywood to modify its components with regards to child entertainers.

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What came about to Alyson Stoner?

Alyson had quite an inventory of accomplishments sooner than attaining her teenage years. She iconically starred in Missy Elliot's "Work It" song video, appeared in Cheaper By the Dozen and its sequel, starred alongside Channing Tatum in Step Up, and appeared in numerous Disney Channel projects.

But, whilst Alyson could have looked to be dwelling an abnormal existence, the actress opened up about how these studies, equivalent to going to auditions and working rigorous hours, affected her psychological health.

"I narrowly survived the toddler-to-trainwreck pipeline," Alyson wrote in her op-ed essay. "In fact, nothing was designed for me to end up… 'Normal.' 'Stable.' 'Alive.'"

In her People essay written back in 2021, Alyson describes being 6 years previous and going to an audition wherein she had to act out being kidnapped and raped. Just a couple of moments later, she was whisked away to audition for a toy princess commercial.

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"These visceral portrayals of scenarios etch themselves into my body memory and compound with trauma occurring in real life behind closed doors," she writes. "Additionally, there is an alarming dissonance about being coached to offer my six-year-old self vulnerably to unfamiliar adults who have power over my well-being and future livelihood."

Alyson means that productions hire mental health pros to assist track "working conditions and be available to assist entertainers in regulating, shifting between identities and discharging residual inner turbulence after emotional performances." 

Alyson Stoner went to rehab for an consuming dysfunction.

"I'm 17. In just over a decade, the tentacles of the industry have suffocated and destroyed my family," the former child megastar defined. Alyson detailed that the long hours, rigidity, and trauma of operating in the challenging trade ended in her getting into a rehab facility, towards the wishes of her group, for an eating dysfunction.

Alyson revealed that she used to be about 20 kilos underweight when she entered the remedy facility.

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"Though I'm not without scars and ongoing struggles, I am still one of the most fortunate cases," she wrote. "By some inner mysterious force, I committed to deep self-work and constant healing as my rebellion."

The actress additionally insinuated that more trauma came about than what she wrote about in her op-ed essay: "I didn't mention the sexual harassment, stolen IP and money, paparazzi, psychological impact of the new influencer landscape, toxic power plays, and what actually happened on all of those sets."

Alyson concluded her essay by asking for readers to recognize the psychological and physical stories that child stars have had to go through, and presented tactics for how other people can help support young actors.

"Something I have learned is that as long as we are enchanted or complacent, we're also vulnerable," Alyson famous. "This applies to families in Hollywood as well as consumers at home. Together, we can change the narrative."

As an actress and suggest, Alyson has created accessible resources to assist fortify psychological and physical well-being.

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In 2020, Alyson co-founded Movement Genius, which she describes as "movement classes that improve mental health, and our radically inclusive platform is designed by and for all bodies and identities," in line with her website.

She also authored a guide in 2021 titled "MIND BODY PRIDE: A 7-Step Guide for Deeper Connection" which used to be designed to deal with psychological well being in the queer community.

She additionally introduced a podcast in 2023 titled Dear Hollywood, where she exposes Hollywood and child stardom.

"Child stardom is a unique cultural phenomenon with a notoriously dark shadow. Precocious young talents skyrocket to success only to repeat horror stories of addiction, decimated fortunes, and suicide," she wrote. "I will be revealing intimate firsthand accounts alongside comprehensive expertise and action plans to change entertainment and inspire your own life path and healing."

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